tealboy

I am now beginning to learn about the acura mdx. I have grown uncomfortable w/ the RX tranny and really need the awd feature. at this point, i don't know much about the mdx but it's honda, so i am hoping its good. of course, i have lost some confid in consumer reports given what i am learning about the RX, but they equally rate the MDX high. anyone know good/bad about the mdx?

problems just on awd or fwd too? I have been reading and most comments point toward awd but i think some are fwd too.

off road not in the real rugged sense. i have a heavy duty 4x4 for that. this one is for my wife. I have a cabin in the woods but you can't get there in a car. 4x2 would work most of the time, but w/ a bit of mud and water, the awd is better. is the tranny problem hugely common or isolated? I just went back and re-read consumer reports and they show only the very highest marks across the board, going back to 01. There is nothing that suggests this vehicle is anything less than superb. Did you have bad luck or is the tranny problem affecting 8 of 10 owners?

I take my vehicles off road and want the awd feature. I really prefer a vehicle like the rx 300 b/c it serves two purposes, but if i can't get comfortable w/ the reliablility, i am going back to the e320 MB. Not reliable, but a fantasticly fun car that looks great. any additional comments on trouble spots for the rx 300 are appreciated. i am going to check the lexus records on this vehicle tomorrow but as a lease, i would be surprised if i find much was done. at 26k miles, the vehicle is not heavily used, but neglect could show up later.

I have a 2002 Rx300 AWD in my garage, on loan from a retail dealer trying to sell it to me. it has 26k miles. I have looked a MB, BMW and others but have finally settled on Lexus RX due to Lexus products never breaking. Consumers reports says great things about this car, but now i am reading tranny problems are virtually guaranteed. I can't believe it. What else should i be concerned about? Have the tranny problems and others been resolved by 2002,2003? Pls advise. I was ready to buy this truck until reading a few posts here. I am still reading but comments to my post are apprec

I have been keeping an eye open for a LS 430, 2001, but have decided the price premium for the 01 vs. the 2000 LS400 is too much (about $10k). I don't put a lot of miles on a car (8k per year max) so I prefer to be in the low to mid 20's. Both of these cars hit that point. With the Q, I get a 2002 for appx $24k vs. $22k or so for a low mileage 1999 or 2000 LS. I am concentrating on both of these vehicles b/c they are smooth, comfortable, reliable and quiet cars. All important criteria to me. Howevr, I do not know enough about either to be able to draw a good comparision and make an informed decision. Obviously the Q depreciates more, therefore, I get a newer car for the same money, including side air bags, but I don't know what, if anything, i give up. By the way, though i thought the Avalon might be comparable to the Lexus or Q, I drove it and no longer feel that way. Though nice, it is stiffer, less comfortable, transmits more road noise and just doesn't have a luxurious feel. A great car for sure, but not the same. anyway, your comments and advice would be greatly appreciated. I am looking at a 2002 for $24k right now (no nav) w/ 55k miles and need your input, pls. thx

Just curious as to your reaction on this subject. Obviously this is a Lexus forum, so I already know what the answer will be but I recently read an article evaluating the newly designed Avalon, which included a comparison to the LS430. The writer comment was, the LS is the best of the best, but they now struggle to justify the $30k premium. In other words, the avalon has existed in the past, but this redesigned model is more appealing and improved, so the writer considered it more comparable to the lexus in looks, size, quality, comfort, quiteness, etc. His parting comment was, unless the badge is important to you, he can not justify the added cost. I have not seen the avalon yet, but have been looking into buying a used, 2001 430 with 45,000 miles. It will cost $35k. For the same money, I can get a brand new, loaded avalon, with warranty and the new car benefits. anyway, this is not to create a harsh debate by any means, but i was curious if anyone out there has made this comparison. Personally, the badge definately means something to me, but i don't know which way i will end up going.

I found a 2000 LS400, white, with Nav system (don't know how to tell if it is a platnium edition). It had 66,000 miles and the body seemed to be in nice shape with a few scuffs here and there, as expected for a 5 year old car. It drove pretty nice by the cheap goodyear tires were worn and didn't handle well. $500 worth of tires could fix that. I also noticed a vibration, which is due to being out of balance or alignment (or possibly worse). The interior was in nice shape too. Not fantastic, but clean. the car was a trade at a local jag dealer. They checked the car for safety, but did not service it or give it a thorough inspection. They were originally asking $28k for the car, but after sitting for almost two months, have dropped the price to $24k and are willing to take $22.5K. I figure i will need to spend $500 on tires, another $100 on alignment and possibly brakes. I will also need to spend $125 to get the car inspected since i don't entirely feel comfortable with the inspection done by Jag, who knows little about lexus. Round numbers, call it $23,500. Not a bad deal, but I decided to pass. Though the miles are normal, I would prefer to have a lower mileage and cleaner car. I struggle to spend $23k on a car that i don't feel 100% comfortable with. I know the price is decent, but it doesn't feel quite right.

local dealer told me $3k or so, but in my opinion, this model/brand is so dependable i don't think it's necessary. on bmw, my alternate choice, i would not buy w/o.

Just curious, i made up my mind that the 2000 LS 400 was the car i wanted, partly b/c it is a little less bulky looking than the 430, but more importantly, the price drops off nicely to mid 20's vs. mid 30's. However, after reading consumer reports last night, i found that the 2000 model has a slightly less stellar review for reliability. Don't get me wrong, the reviews are good but clearly less stellar than previous and subsequent years. I don't remember the specific categories at the moment, but that particular year was off. Strange, b/c usually the later years of a model run are the best whereas the first year or two are slightly more problematic.

hate to be ignorant, but i can't find "used lexus buying guide", important topics, etc. can you provide another hint? thx

Hello, this is my first post and I am hoping to get good feedback before my first lexus purchase. A little backdrop...I currently own a bmw 5 series which has been great. I decided to upgrade to the 740 (2000-2001 series for both price and body style). I really love this car but after doing my homework, i have come to the conclusion that it is nearly a ticking timebomb with engine service lights and other mechanical failures. This was very troublesome b/c I love the look, performance and sophistication of the car. Even if covered by warranty (extended), this car offers too much hassle factor b/c I hate going to the shop and dealing with the whole process. Upon this realization, i went to consumers report and did some research and found the Lexus LS series has incredible reliability records and comfort. I am not in love with the lines, though they are decent. My question is this, I am not prepared to spend $60k+ on a new LS, so I am looking at 2001 430's and 2000 400's. The price drop between the two is huge (about $10-12k), so i am leaning toward the 2000 series. I know the engine improved, body style changed a bit, other...but is the 430 really worth the premium? What are the major differences? Also, are these cars really that reliable? Consumers reports shows them to have an impeccable repair history. If I end up getting the 2000 series, which is about 5 years old and 45000 miles, what kind of problems should I expect (obviously some things will break at that age)? Any and all input is greatly appreciated, but the above questions are the first ones to come to mind. Thx in advance.